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Development and designs

In December 2011, Lauren Faust mentioned that the whereabouts of Applejack's parents had not been planned and that the show was unlikely to mention that they've passed away.[1] Faust stated that while she wanted it to be the case, she "didn't think they would allow it."[2] At the 2016 Middle Equestrian Convention in Poland, My Little Pony character designer Kora Kosicka stated in response to a fan question that Applejack's parents are dead.[3]

In the season seven episode A Royal Problem, Applejack's parents briefly appear in a dream bubble holding an infant Applejack while Princess Celestia observes ponies' dreams.

In The Perfect Pear, the Apples' parents' love story is revealed and detailed through flashbacks. As infants, Bright McIntosh of the Apple family meets and becomes friends with Pear Butter of the rivaling Pear family, nicknaming her Buttercup. As they grow up together, their friendship slowly turns into mutual romantic affection, despite the disapproval of Bright Mac's mother, Granny Smith, and Pear Butter's father, Grand Pear.

When the escalating feud between the Apple and Pear families threatens to split Bright Mac and Pear Butter apart, they have a secret wedding, officiated by Mayor Mare, with Burnt Oak and Mrs. Cake (their respective best friends) in attendance. Granny Smith and Grand Pear soon find out about their marriage, and when Grand Pear refuses to accept Pear Butter's love for Bright Mac, she renounces her family ties to be with the Apples.

Bright Mac and Pear Butter's eventual fate is unknown, but their legacy lives on through Applejack's honesty, Big Mac's humility, Apple Bloom's intuition towards others' talents, and a large tree that grows both apples and pears, the seeds of which they planted on the night of their wedding.